Reconstruction 1965-77 a false dawn for African-American Civil Rights Essay

To what form was reconstruction 1965-77 a mistaken aurora for African-American civil Rights?After the ratiocination of the civil war, there were many wall sockets which ask to be addressed. The civil accountabilitys of the African Americans were in need of change, and during this completion there were hopes that new legislation would be implemented to aid African Americans and a nonher(prenominal) minority groups. This legislation would be called the civilised Rights Act of 1866, the 14th Amendment of 1868 (which promised equality), and finally the fifteenth Amendment (which gave the right to vote). However, despite the positive legislation, reconstruction aggravated a lot of bulk and brought the southern states into conflict with the Government.The Freedmens post was established in 1865, which aimed to provide food for thought, clothing, and give notice to formal slaves and white refugees. The Freedmens assurance bill was excessively passed by Abraham capital of Neb raska still Johnson vetoed it, however a accessory act extended its existence until 1870. This was in truth good for pitch- depressed rights, as it gave dimmeds more protection and a safety final if they were too poor to buy food and support their families. However, it was only meant as a temporary act, and therefore there was eternally the looming feeling that it would soon diminish to an end, and also the promises of it were not fulfilled to the extent at which it was said to be.The Amendments which were introduced also gave black mess a real hope in gaining independence and freedom. The 13th amendment was introduced in 1865, and this guaranteed the constant abolishment of slavery. The emancipation proclamation which was introduced by Abraham Lincoln was seen as more of a temporary fix whilst the war was dismission on, however the 13th amendment solidified it and make it a more permanent and ca-ca reality. Section 1. Neither slavery nor free servitude, except as a pe nalisation for crime where of the party shall contribute been duly convicted, shall exist within the unite nominates, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.However, although by law it states that there shall be no slavery, slavery proceed on a more hidden basis. Sharecropping still existed, and freedmen who had come out of slavery with no qualifications or experience became unemployed, so the living conditions for more or less freedmen did not improve. Slave-owners were also reluctant to let their slaves leave, and often kept them illegally.The 14th Amendment however was introduced in 1870, and this aimed to further secure the rights of the freedmen. This morose out to be one of the close to important Amendments ever made to the American constitution. It threatened to reduce the representation of the states which go on to discriminate. However, a loophole in this law was that the states which continued to discriminate would just accept the uneven representation, but ca rry on with their discrimination, til now just not so obvious. indeed by some, this could be seen as a false dawn, as it did address the issue of freedmen not having rights, but it also created a loophole for the southern states to take advantage of.The fifteenth Amendment was introduced two years later, which aimed to cover the loophole which was created by the 14th amendment. This stated Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or preceding(prenominal) condition of servitudeThis was a considerable bill forward for black civil rights, as this means that the south was not suit fitted to carry on with their discrimination against many voters, and this nullified the loophole in the law which was created by the 14th Amendment. However, more loopholes were created with this, with unattainable requirements universe implemented just to be able to vote. For example, v oters in some states had to be tax compriseers which was not possible for freedmen, as most were not earning enough to be able to pay tax, and also literacy tests were introduced which were severely biased against black people, with questions which were completely unanswerable.Another reason why this did not entirely work was be event of the rising of the KKK. They were a terrorist group which aimed to s care black people into not voting, and to basically cause terror because they were black. They at first were not an ultra-violent group, however as time progressed they quickly became increasingly violent, as lynchings were common, and they would often signal the black people who were doing well for themselves, I.E lawyers who were doing a lot for civil rights, or those who went to vote. Because of this huge suppression and hatred, a lot of black people were scared to vote and in reality voting was not a freedom for black people.Some historians would take that reconstruction it i tself did not really care for the black rights, and that it was a political keep to try and remain Republican authority in the south. Abraham Lincoln himself did not have a clear policy for freed slaves by and by the civilised War, so reconstruction was not seen as a solid propose from the start, it was looking like a false dawn.False Dawn something which seems to show that a successful period is beginning or that a situation is improving when it is not.Reconstruction The act of constructing again, of rebuildingBibliography * Wikipedia* Class Notes* Civil Rights In America Ron Field* About.com